E. Napp

War Tests the Greeks In this lesson, students will identify characteristics of the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War.

Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

Causes of the Persian Wars

Effects of the Persian Wars

Causes of the Peloponnesian War

Effects of the Peloponnesian War

E. Napp

The Persians had built a vast empire.

E. Napp

The Persians and the Greeks

• In 519 B.C., the Persians conquered a group of people called the Ionian Greeks who lived in Asia Minor.

• The Ionian Greeks asked the mainland Greeks for help.

• The Greeks did help and the Persian king was furious.

E. Napp

The Persians invaded the Greeks.

E. Napp

The Persian Wars

• The Persian army outnumbered the Athenian army.

• However, the smaller Greek ships could move easily in the water. The Greek ships destroyed the Persian ships.

• Many Greek city-states also united to defeat the Persians.

E. Napp

Look at the map! Can you see why thesmaller Greek ships had an advantage?

E. Napp

The Alliance• After the Persian Wars, the Greek city-

states united.

• Each city-state agreed to give money or ships to be used to defend all of them. Athens led the alliance. The alliance was called the Delian League.

• However, Athens used the alliance money to rebuild Athens.

E. Napp

E. Napp

The Peloponnesian War

• Athens betrayed the trust of the alliance.

• The other Greek city-states declared war on Athens.

• This war was called the Peloponnesian War.

E. Napp

E. Napp

Summation of Wars

• The Persian Wars strengthened the Greek city-states.

• However, the Peloponnesian War weakened the Greek city-states.

• Sparta led the alliance against Athens.

E. Napp

The Spartans were skilled soldiers.

E. Napp

War strengthenedthe Greeks andwar weakened

the Greeks.

E. Napp

Questions for Reflection:

• Why did the Persians invade Greece?

• Why did the Persian Wars strengthen the Greeks?

• Define the Delian League.

• Why did the Peloponnesian War begin?

• Why did the Peloponnesian War weaken the Greeks?